Rodrigo y Gabriela Concert Review, Summerfest

(Video and tour dates included) Rodrigo y Gabriela is elusive. They don’t tour the States often, spending most of their time overseas. So when the opportunity presented itself to take a 90-mile drive to Milwaukee to go see them, it was an easy decision. Past Six Flags Great America, past the Mars Cheese Castle, the porn shop and the fireworks stands, and $15 later, five Sound Citizens were standing... [Read more]

Fans and Colleagues Remember Michael Jackson

In the fifth grade, I wore a one glove to school for a solid week. In the summer. And I lived in New Orleans. I wanted one of those zipper-laden jackets so bad, but they were expensive. So I rolled up the sleeves on my Members Only jacket, so everyone could see my glove instead. Michael Jackson became a part of me, just like he did with millions of others around the globe. Thriller became the best-selling... [Read more]

Pete Yorn’s New Album and Tour Dates

Mr. Sensitive himself, Pete Yorn Pete Yorn just released Back & Fourth – the fourth of his studio albums (get it?), and the first since 2006’s Nightcrawler. You might think that a good three years would produce something significant. But so far, that doesn’t appear to be the case. In fact, it seems like the longer Pete Yorn makes music, the worse off he is. After his breakthrough... [Read more]

Thao and The Get Down Stay Down

Chicago’s Ribfest attracts thousands of people each year over the course of a couple of days. Mostly because of the selection of ribs from many of the city’s barbeque joints. And the beer. But it also hosts a collection of bands that play throughout the day and night. If you stick around long enough and pull your head out of a plate of ribs every now and then, you can find a hidden gem.... [Read more]

White Stripes Reunion in the Works

The stars seem to be aligning for a White Stripes reunion. Amid Jack White’s many projects (including The Dead Weather and It Might Get Loud), there may be room for more. Let’s have a look at the clues to the White Stripes mystery. There was the brief (and slightly disastrous) reunion for friend Conan O’Brien’s last Late Night show.  It was framed as a favor for O’Brien,... [Read more]

It Might Get Loud – Let’s Hope So

Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) has made a film that will captivate anyone who has ever played a guitar. More likely, it will engross everyone who has ever appreciated music. Three of the most innovative guitarists spanning more than 40 years of rock history and three distinct generations – Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White – share their passion for the electric guitar and indomitable... [Read more]

Brace Yourself: Black Joe Lewis is on Tour

The Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears 2009 tour will leave a steady stream of believers in its wake. It starts with Texas native Joe Lewis, who is raw and unapologetic. Songs on the new record “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!” are unfiltered and speckled with profanity, but ultimately inspired, groovy – and hilarious at times. They include titles like “Big Booty Woman,”... [Read more]

New Music from Elvis Costello and Tour Dates

(Video and tour dates included) Homer Simpson once asked, “Has the whole world gone gay?” Well, no, but it seems the whole music industry has gone country. The latest to saddle up is Elvis Costello, with his new album, Secret, Profane and Sugarcane, released on June 2nd. Produced by T Bone Burnett in Nashville, Costello’s latest sound includes a dobro, fiddle, mandolin and accordion.... [Read more]

Alexi Murdoch Talks Music with Sound Citizen

A little while back, Alexi Murdoch (one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 musicians to watch) played the Empty Bottle in Chicago. At that show, I saw something extremely rare in live music. As soon as the first chord was struck, the room snapped into utter silence. That’s because Murdoch is one of those musicians who pulls you into his music, coaxing you to explore your own thoughts and deepest... [Read more]

Dexateen’s Chicago Premiere – Come Back Real Soon, Ya Hear?

(Video included) The Dexateens breezed into Chicago on Wednesday night for the first time ever, on the heels of the release of a new record, Singlewide. They played second in a night that led of with Those Darlins (whom we’ve covered before) in what turned out to be a night of country-inspired, good old American rock. It all took place at Schuba’s, a fine place to see a show, and the Chicago... [Read more]

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